Composite Live Hinge

摘要

A hinged component includes first and second portions of material coupled together by a composite live hinge. The live hinge includes a layer of tensile fabric and a layer of elastomer interposed between the tensile fabric and the material of one or both of the coupled first and second portions. The composite live hinge is capable of joining structural composite materials without the need for scoring, and thereby weakening, the structural composite material along the desired hinge line. The live hinge can be embedded in the materials it joins in a method that is compatible with traditional structural composite layup processes and in a manner which prevents resin from the structural composite materials from infiltrating the tensile fabric and compromising its flexibility.

主权项

1. A hinged component, comprising:
a first portion of material; a second portion of material; and a live hinge attaching the first and second portions of material together at a hinge region, the live hinge comprising a layer of tensile fabric and a layer of elastomer interposed between the tensile fabric and the material of at least one of the first and second portions where the live hinge is attached to each of the first and second portions.